Scalable and modular automated fiber optic cross-connect systems

An automated patch panel responsive to signal commands for controlling the interconnection of optical fiber strands between networks comprising:

• an input array body including a plurality of dual ended terminals for receiving the different individual fiber strands, the terminals in the input array body being disposed in at least two dimensions relative to a first plane and accessible to external input fiber strands from a first network, the terminals being arranged with intervening adjacent spaces for physical movement between the terminals;
• a plurality of interior optical fiber strands engaged reconfigurably into the interior side of individual terminals in the input two dimensions in the array;
• a linear array of guides in a plane spaced apart from the first plane of the input array for coupling the interior fiber strands in a converging pattern to a second network;
• a number of variable length fiber buffers disposed in two dimensions adjacent the second plane and coupled between the linear array of guides and the second network for resiliently compensating for length variations in fiber strands from the input array to the linear array as the interconnections between the input array and the linear array are reconfigured, and
• an automated positioner receiving the signal commands and movable adjacent the interior side of the input array to transfer fiber strands in two dimensions from selected input terminals in the input array to destination terminals within the input array.

A system for automated interconnection of fiber optic line strands in paths which can have different lengths, between an input array distributed in two orthogonal dimensions relative to an interior plane and connected to a first network and connected to receive the fiber optic line strands at different elevations and couple them to a second network, the input array having double ended ports coupled to receive inputs of external fiber optic lines from the first network in the two orthogonal dimensions, and internal fiber optic lines which intercouple the lines across an interconnection volume to different elevations in the multiple outputs, the ports of the input array being distributed with predetermined spaces between the ports along the two orthogonal dimensions relative to the interior plane;

• a fiber optic line positioner responsive to signal commands and operable in each of the two orthogonal dimensions adjacent the interior plane of the input array, the positioner having a fiber optic line engagement/disengagement device movable within spaces between the ports along the two orthogonal dimensions in the input array;
• a fiber optic line guide system disposed in the interconnection volume adjacent the input array and defining a fiber optic line collection region including a plurality of fiber optic line guides positioned to converge the lines into a substantially linear array spaced apart from the input array;
• a plurality of fiber optic line length buffer modules each receiving a different fiber optic line from the fiber optic line guide system and providing a fiber optic line output, the buffer modules being disposed in sets aligned parallel to a selected plane, the sets being stackable in a direction orthogonal to the selected plane;
• a fiber optic line output assembly receiving the fiber optic line outputs from the buffer modules and coupling said line outputs to the second network, and
• a controller, including data storage retaining data as to interconnections between the array, coupled to operate the positioner in response to signal commands, to remove a fiber optic line from one position in the input array and interweave it through existing fiber optic paths from the input array to the output assembly to a different position in the input array without entanglement with other lines between the two arrays,
• wherein the controller includes circuits for updating interconnections as to the positions of the connections between the input array and the output assembly.